Yemeni Coffee Steals the Show at ICBS 2026 in Malaysia

Yemeni coffee drew significant attention at the International Café and Beverage Show 2026 (ICBS 2026), as visitors gathered around the Yemeni pavilion to experience live brewing sessions, coffee tastings, and conversations about one of the world’s oldest coffee origins.

Held from May 7 to 9 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), the exhibition brought together companies specializing in coffee, tea, matcha, café equipment, and beverage innovation, reflecting the continued rise of specialty coffee culture across Asia.

Among the busiest sections of the exhibition was the Yemeni pavilion, where producers and exporters introduced visitors to coffees cultivated in Yemen’s mountainous regions using traditional farming methods that have shaped the country’s coffee heritage for centuries.

Participating companies included Ammar Al-Omari Trading Foundation, Al-Yafae Coffee Company, Golden Yafea Coffee, Al-Shobli Export Company, Drip Drab, and Star Mocha Coffee. Throughout the event, exhibitors hosted cupping sessions and manual brewing demonstrations aimed at highlighting the distinct flavor profiles and historical identity of Yemeni coffee.

The participation was organized by the Small and Micro Enterprise Promotion Service (SMEPS) with support from the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen and the Islamic Development Bank through the “MARKETS” program, an initiative focused on improving access to international markets for Yemeni products.

Visitors and industry professionals showed particular interest in the connection between Yemeni coffee and the early history of global coffee trade. For many attendees, the pavilion offered more than a tasting experience — it provided a cultural introduction to coffee’s origins and the traditions that continue to shape production in Yemen today.

During his visit to the exhibition, Dr. Faisal Ali, President of the Yemenis Cultural Foundation, stressed the importance of presenting Yemeni coffee through a stronger cultural and media narrative capable of reaching modern specialty coffee audiences worldwide.

The pavilion also featured cultural publications linked to Yemen’s coffee history, including A Cup of Haysi and the Wine of the Clouds trilogy, adding a literary and historical dimension to the presentation.

Malaysian media covering the event described the Yemeni pavilion as one of the exhibition’s memorable highlights, noting the growing international interest in coffees tied to origin, heritage, and traditional agriculture.

Industry observers say the renewed attention toward Yemeni coffee reflects wider shifts in specialty coffee markets, particularly across Southeast Asia, where consumers are increasingly seeking coffees with traceable identity, regional character, and authentic production stories.

In addition to coffee showcases, ICBS 2026 featured brewing competitions, tea and matcha presentations, and live demonstrations of new beverage technologies as the region’s café and specialty beverage sectors continue to expand rapidly.